How fast can a dragonfly fly?

Carolyn Saft Contributor Summertime is a good time to view and admire a very beneficial insect: the dragonfly. Dragonflies have been around for over 300 million years, and these fabulous insects eat pesky mosquitoes and flies that are out in full force this time of year. Dragonflies are as acrobatic as hummingbirds—they can hover or fly vertically, fly side to side, backward and can even do somersaults. They can fly fast, too! They have been clocked consistently at speeds of 30 to 35 miles per hour. A dragonfly can pick off a mosquito in mid-air, and some dragonflies eat more than 100 mosquitoes in one day! Dragonflies have incredibly large eyes that provide an almost 360-degree view.